No Experience Necessary
This edition of Orts is for anyone who likes to try something new.
Beginning a craft can be intimidating, but it’s a little less daunting thanks to the internet. If you can’t learn it in person, someone online can probably help!
Today, I’m focusing on resources and patterns to help you improve your embroidery and other stitching, from samplers to projects geared toward anyone with limited experience.
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First stop when you’re learning something new? YouTube. If you can dream it, there’s probably a YouTube video about it. This goes for embroidery techniques, too. Mary Corbet taught me how to stitch a French knot and a bullion knot!
But finding channels that have what you're looking for can be challenging. So, I've sifted through them for you and shared 7 of my favorites.
And speaking of embroidery: when you're first learning to embroider, there are basic tools you'll use: a hoop, needle, and thread. But many tools fly under the radar. Some of them you learn by chance, as was the case of stitch and stitch stabilizer and thread gloss for me.
I've compiled a shopping list of helpful embroidery tools to make a project more manageable and organized.
Embroidery Samplers
Samplers are a great way to practice new stitches. Even if you're thinking, "Yeah, but I know some stitches!" there are literally hundreds of them so I think we could all benefit from samplers. I know I could!
- Learn the stitches you'll need to embroider this tiny sweater.
- Jessica Long's sampler kit includes swirling florals and a 90-minute-long online video tutorial.
- There are a lot of tiny stitches to experiment with when you make this "pie."
- Want to embroider flowers? Stay Home Artist has a beginner bouquet kit guided by YouTube tutorials.
- Here's a very organized sampler with each basic stitch labeled, making it easy to refer to later.
- Need to brush up on your basic embroidery? The Barmy Fox's inexpensive sampler provides a quick refresher. Plus, it makes a nice sunset-inspired pattern.
Beginner Embroidery Projects
- Inspired by a love of the outdoors, my pal Melissa of MCreativeJ created a beginner-friendly pin kit that you can easily complete in an afternoon.
- From Kiriki Press, the same maker who brought you the sweater sampler, this adorable sloth kit will help you put some of your stitching into action.
- Perfect one of the most basic stitches, the satin stitch, with this colorful marble pattern by Lark Rising Embroidery. There are five color guides to choose from.
- Fierce and tender: combine cross stitch with free-hand embroidery in this easy-to-understand pattern.
Beginner Quilt Patterns
- Intended to be an "approachable pattern," the New Mexico Queen Quilt includes in-depth tutorials on the quilting process.
- This minimalist pattern uses only one quilt block, making it perfect for a newbie.
- Inspired by the colors of the Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic Quilt is intended as "quilting 101" for beginners.
- Here's a quilt pattern that has an illustrative bend to it, with a design described as "sundown." It comes in two sizes: crib and throw.
Beginner Clothing Patterns
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Sara Barnes
Embroidery illustrator and writer
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